Students in San Joaquin County show improvements in some areas, but they've fallen behind in others, according to the annual "Literacy Report Card."
University of the Pacific has been gathering data on reading, attendance, truancy, preschool enrollment, and even books checked out from local libraries.
Reading test scores weren't used this year because of a shift to new tests, but previous data show only one in three students is reading proficiently by the third grade.
Preschool enrollment was down to 34 percent. The statewide average is 50 percent.
UOP Dean Dr. Lynn Beck says there have been some important improvements, "Attendance is up, children are attending schools and we're going to celebrate that today and coming to school more and we know that you don't learn if you're not in school."
Third grader Evan Dao is one of those students who excels in reading."What I like about reading is that like when you read a book, it's like watching TV."
The report card brings together some 50 community partners from school districts to businesses seeking to improve early literacy in San Joaquin County.
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